Pets

Spokane County SCRAPS wants to warn pet owners of the hazards the holidays can bring to yourfour legged friends.

"Things that make the holidays a great time of year - cookies, presents, and a house full of company - can actually be hazards to our four-legged friends," said Nancy Hill, Regional Director of SCRAPS. "We advise pet owners to take a minute to make sure their house is pet friendly."

According to SCRAPS, here are a few holiday items that can be particularly harmful to pets:

Holiday Lighting and Candles

SCRAPS said these are especially dangerous to pets that like to chew. Electrical shock can occur when a pet chomps down on an electrical cord, causing tongue lacerations and possible death. SCRAPS suggests using LED candles instead of actual flames and place them into hard-to-reach places so that pets can not access them.

The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) is bursting at the seams with cats! According to Shelter Operations Manager Mary Reynolds-Paullin, SCRAPS has been inundated with cats all summer and now the other local rescue groups are full.

SCRAPS is offering a great cat adoption special starting on Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th. Cat adoption fees will be waived and cats and kittens can be adopted for just the price of a license ($15).

SCRAPS also reminds the public that they have spay/neuter vouchers available for both cats and dogs. For the price of a pet license, SCRAPS will provide you with a ‘dollars off’ coupon to have your pet spayed or neutered.

A vicious dog attack in Lapwai that resulted in the death of a dog earlier this month will effect some changes in the animal control rules. Nez Perce Tribal Police Chief David Rogers says the attack was so severe that they decided to make it a criminal case and seize the aggressive dog.

"We have put the info with the prosecutor and will charge the owner. Once the owner has been charged I can reveal their name," he told BCNC last week. "This incident has caused the need for immediate review and changes regarding the dog issue in Lapwai."

Unseasonably cold weather is forecast for eastern Washington into next week, with highs below freezing and lows in the single digits. Keep pets and outdoor animals safe with these tips from the veterinary college at Washington State University: